Lifestyle
Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Christmas Wine
October 24, 2025
The holiday season transforms every gathering into a celebration, and the right wine selection can elevate your Christmas feast from memorable to extraordinary. However, Christmas dinner can present unique challenges when choosing which wines to serve, as a variety of different flavors generally end up on the table—think everything from roasted meats and sweet glazes to savory sides, decadent desserts, and more.
Each of the above categories merits specific wine pairing considerations, though worry not, as our team has done the hard work for you. From sparkling aperitifs to refreshing whites and robust reds, check out our team’s expert insights into how to curate the perfect lineup of Christmas wine here.
Understanding Christmas Wine Selection Fundamentals
Selecting wines for Christmas requires a strategic approach that considers multiple factors beyond personal preference: menu composition, guest preferences, and the progression of flavors throughout the meal.Traditional Christmas menus often feature rich, complex dishes with multiple flavor components, and choosing versatile wines that favor complementing them over competing with them is essential. The key lies in identifying the dominant flavors in each dish and selecting wines that either harmonize with or provide pleasant contrast to these tastes.
Favor Versatility and Balance
When you’re choosing wines for a larger dinner crowd, Lindsay Koblitz, Sommelier at Sommsation, states that thinking more about versatility, and broad appeal—and less about exact pairings with each dish—is a great place to start. “For reds, it’s smart to select wines that are flavorful yet not overly tannic or heavy, such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, or a medium-bodied Merlot,” she says, noting that if the main course is heartier, such as beef or lamb, adding a bolder red option (think Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah) into the mix is always a good idea.
However, Koblitz recommends steering clear of serving too many big reds, as they aren’t always the most crowd-pleasing option. “For whites, focus on freshness and food-friendliness: a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay will keep things bright and pair well with appetizers and vegetable dishes, while a rounder style such as oaked Chardonnay or Viognier can appeal to guests who like richer textures,” she says, affirming that offering at least one versatile white and one versatile red gives guests the freedom to choose, and that having a sparkling wine on hand adds a celebratory touch while pairing with just about anything.
Consider Sauces and Seasonings
When choosing wine pairings, factoring in glazes, gravies, and spices is just as important—if not more so—than thinking about proteins and base vegetables. “Sauces and seasonings often influence a wine pairing more than the main ingredient itself,” Koblitz reveals. She uses chicken as a perfect example. “A roast chicken, for example, can go in very different directions depending on whether it’s served with a creamy mushroom sauce, a citrus-herb vinaigrette, or a spicy glaze,” she says.
Building on the above point, Koblitz explains that rich, creamy sauces (like béchamel, gravy, or butter-based pan sauces) call for wines with good acidity to cut through the weight—think Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, or even a sparkling wine. On the other hand, tomato-based sauces pair best with reds that boast similar qualities to their bright acidity and savory edge, such as Barbera or Grenache. “When spice enters the mix—think peppery rubs, chili heat, or warm baking spices—fruity, softer wines with lower tannins (like Zinfandel, Gamay, or an off-dry Riesling) can highlight flavor without clashing,” Koblitz says, equally noting that earthy herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage will come to life with savory reds made from Syrah or Cabernet Franc.
Don’t Forget the Serving Order
Koblitz notes that when choosing wine for Christmas dinner, it’s best to think about the flow of the meal and the variety of dishes on the table. “Sparkling wine is always a festive way to start, with Champagne, Crémant, or Cava offering crisp, refreshing bubbles that pair beautifully with appetizers and set the celebratory tone,” she says, following with light to medium-bodied whites before moving onto reds. In short? Plan your wine sequence from light to heavy.
Temperature Is Key
Once your wines are selected, serve them at proper temperature to ensure they show their best. “Temperature and serving etiquette can make just as much of a difference at the holiday table as the wines themselves,” Koblitz says. She reveals that sparkling wines should be well-chilled, (around 40-45°F) so that they stay crisp and refreshing throughout the meal, whereas lighter whites will show their best when served slightly cooler than fridge temperature )around 45–50°F). “This keeps them vibrant without muting aromatics,” she says.
On the contrary, Koblitz states that fuller-bodied whites like Chardonnay or Viognier can be served a touch warmer, closer to 55°F, so as to allow their richness and complexity to unfold. “For lighter reds such as Pinot Noir, Gamay, or Grenache, serve around 55–60°F.,” she says. For more structured reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, Koblitz finds anywhere from 60–65°F to be the sweet spot for serving temperature. “If reds get too warm, the alcohol can dominate, dulling the fruit and balance,” she affirms.
In summary, the art of Christmas wine curation extends beyond individual pairings and embraces overall versatility and food friendliness. Start with lighter, more acidic wines for appetizers and salads, progress to medium-bodied selections for the main course, and finish with sweet or fortified wines for dessert. This progression respects palate fatigue and ensures each wine shows at its best alongside its intended course. Not sure where to begin? These five expert-approved bottles below are a great place to start.
Breathless Sparkling Wines Organic Blanc de Blancs 2020 ($60.00)
Tropical fruit, lemon and a hint of citrus flower are the aromas and flavors that jump out of the glass of this 100% Organic wine. The fine bubbles produce a smoothness and liveliness in the mouth along with the fruit flavors. The perfect holiday wine!
Zeitgeist Cellars Chenin Blanc 2022 ($38.00)
Lean and crisp, Chenin Blanc is a perfect pairing for delicate fish dishes—especially the ones with a touch of lemon on them. Bright and lively, this gorgeous wine has some flecks of gold in the color and lingering notes of crispy Golden Delicious apples. “Chenin Blanc is extremely versatile with food and would be an excellent choice for Christmas dinner,” Koblitz says, highlighting the wine’s bright acidity and notes of orchard fruit (apple, pear, quince) and honey.
She notes that crispness will cut through richer dishes like creamy mashed potatoes, gratins, and gravy, while its fruit character complements turkey, ham, or roasted poultry without overpowering them. “If there are sweet glazes on ham, roasted root vegetables, or spiced sides, the subtle honeyed edge echoes those flavors beautifully,” she says, describing the wine as a crowd-pleasing white that can handle the majority of side dishes and lighter proteins. “It’s a smart and refreshing addition to a Christmas spread,” she says.
Seavey Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 ($70.00)
One of the best crowd-pleasing Chardonnays out there, this wine has enough minerality to appease a Chablis-loving guest, while sporting enough texture for the California Chardonnay lovers. “This bottle pairs beautifully with Christmas dinner, especially if you’re serving poultry, ham, or rich, creamy side dishes,” Koblitz says, citing that Seavey’s Chardonnays typically show a balance of ripe citrus and stone fruit layered with a touch of oak and creamy texture.
“With turkey or roast chicken, the wine’s weight and subtle oak mirror the savory depth of the meat while its acidity cuts through gravy or buttery sauces,” she says. If ham is on the table, Koblitz equally notes that the wine’s fruit character plays nicely against the sweet or smoky glaze—and in terms of sides, the wine shines alongside mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, stuffing with herbs, and dishes enriched with cream or cheese (think scalloped potatoes or gratins).
Sleight of Hand Cellars The Conjurer Red Blend 2020 ($35.00)
This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend is the head-turning wine we suggest with that prime rib roast you spent hours working on. Rich and luscious, this wine is sure to spark up a conversation with any oenophiles at your Christmas party. “The Conjurer is an excellent red for a Christmas dinner spread, as it does a great job of being both a crowd pleaser and having enough structure and complexity to pair well with the food,” Koblitz says.
She describes the bottle as the perfect pairing for a red meat-based main dish such as prime rib, roast beef, or lamb, as the wine’s dark fruit and savory herb tones will echo the depth of the meat, while its structure provides balance. “For other sides, this wine will complement rich, earthy dishes like roasted root vegetables, stuffing with sage and thyme, or mushroom gratins, and it can hold its own against sauces with a bit of spice or umami.” Koblitz says. On the contrary, she advises against pairing with sweeter dishes, like honey-baked ham or candied yams, as the tannins will clash with the sugar.
Pepper Bridge Winery Merlot 2021 ($65.00)
Presenting light and juicy on the palate, this wine is a fantastic pairing for duck, ham or filet mignon. Exceptional texture lends soft and supple tannin with acidity that can truly emphasize the beauty of your carefully prepared meal.
On the nose, aromas range from dark fruit to earthy tones, with subtle oak qualities of chocolate and warm baking spices. The forefront of the palate is a fruit basket of plum, black cherry, and blackberry, with hints of olive tapenade. Supported by mouthwatering acidity and powerful but refined tannins, this is everything you want in a Walla Walla Merlot.
Above all, the perfect Christmas wine selection transforms holiday gatherings into unforgettable celebrations, creating moments of joy and connection that linger long after the last toast. Ready to elevate your wine knowledge and explore exceptional selections year-round? Explore our curated wine selection or book a personalized wine tasting experience to continue your wine journey alongside our expert team.